Chapter 2 - Questions Arise
Something twisted inside me, a sense of dread I couldn’t shake. I felt small against the backdrop of the bustling ballroom, the enormity of the moment crashing down like the weight of a thousand bricks. I stood, knees wobbling slightly as I straightened my gown, my grip tight around the delicate fabric. Why would Peter say that? And what kind of money?
“Mommy?” Sophie tugged on my hand, concern etched in her little features. I crouched down, my heart aching to comfort her. “Are they going to be okay?”
I hesitated. “I don’t know, sweetheart.” It was true; uncertainty clouded every thought. The warmth of the ballroom felt stifling now, bright lights turning to blinding spots in my vision.
I could see Evan again, still sipping champagne, laughing with Peter, and I realized I had to confront this. As unsettling as it felt, the thoughts roiling in my mind were stronger than my apprehension. I needed answers, and I couldn’t rely on whispers or half-truths from my daughter. This was my life, my family. Ignoring it was no longer an option.
“Stay here, Sophie,” I instructed, swallowing hard as I pushed my way through the gathering crowd toward the stage. The built-up energy was almost palpable—jubilant sounds of celebration echoed, but all I could feel was dread. My heart thudded louder with every step. I climbed the small platform, the microphone looming larger than life.
“Excuse me!” I called out, my voice cutting through the ambient noise like a knife. The chatter dwindled, heads turning in unison toward me. My breath hitched as I searched for Evan's face. There he was, still smiling, but now his expression turned curious, almost cautious.
“Evan,” I began, my voice more confident than I felt. “I need to talk to you about something Sophie just told me.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd, murmurs swelling as people exchanged glances, curiosity piqued. Evan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. I could sense Peter shifting uncomfortably in the background.
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“I think—” I hesitated as I locked eyes with Evan. “I think you and Peter have done something that’s not right.”
For a moment, everything halted. The ballroom, once alive with joy, fell into a hushed silence. I watched as Evan’s expression shifted from surprise to something darker, more serious. I felt the tension wrapping tightly around me, the gasps echoing off the walls like thunder.
